Author: Carl Lamiel

ASUS rolls out Marshmallow update for Zenfone 2 ZE551ML

Carl Lamiel

Finally, ASUS Zenfone 2 fans can now rejoice as their-much awaited Marshmallow update for the ZE551ML phones have rolled out and are now available for download.

asus zenfone 2 ze551ml_ resize

It’s been a really late update for last year’s ASUS flagships, but are a welcome treat as their devices are one of the best sellers in town. The Taiwanese company outlined the changes that the new update will bring:

  1. Software update to Android 6.0 Mashmallow.
  2. Internal storage will decrease slightly after update, it is recommended back up data and relocate media files (pictures & vides) to SD card to reserve enough storage before starting the software update.
  3. Android Marshmallow won’t support APP2SD. Please move apps to internal storage before system upgrades.
  4. Multi-user function won’t be supported if the account is deleted. Please keep your account to continue usage.
  5. The apps listed below will no longer be pre-loadeded once your device has been upgraded to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).
    1. ASUS Backup
    2. Data Transfer
    3. Dr. Eye (TW SKU)
    4. Jawbone UP
    5. EZTABLE (TW SKU)
    6. Google Play Books
    7. Google Play Games
    8. Google Play Newsstand
    9. Google+
    10. Mirror
    11. Omlet
    12. Party Link
    13. PC Link
    14. Photo Frame
    15. Remote Link
    16. TripAdvisor
    17. What’s Next
    18. Yahoo Shopping (TW SKU)
    19. ZenFlash (Can be downloaded from Google Play)
    20. Zinio
    21. ASUS Game Center
  6. This update will also add new features and new apps:
    1. Google Calendar
    2. Google Messenger
    3. Dr. Booster
    4. Facebook
    5. Facebook Messenger
    6. Instagram
  7. This update will remove ASUS Email, ASUS Calendar, ASUS Messaging, ASUS Browser and ASUS Music and won’t be preloaded in this software version. You can use GMail, Google Calendar, Google Messenger, Google Chrome and Google Play Music for relevant services.

The catch? Well, this update released last August 31 is only available via manual update. If you’re one who’s willing to skip the OTA and try out a rather longer process, then here it is – click here to start your journey.

Source

The post ASUS rolls out Marshmallow update for Zenfone 2 ZE551ML appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines Tech News & Reviews.

Starmobile Play Max Hands-on, First Impressions

Carl Lamiel

Here’s our first look at the recently-introduced Starmobile Play Max, an affordable device packing in a 4000mAh battery and modest internals at a sub-Php4k price.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (3)

The Play Max mixes its affair with polycarbonate and brushed metal finishes all over. Its corners are not too boxy, but not too curvy either. At the front is the 5-inch display presented with a decent amount of bezels at 67 percent screen-to-body ratio, along with the front call speaker, the proximity sensor, and the 5-megapixel rear camera accompanied by an LED flash. The buttons at the bottom are capacitive and do not emit light when in operation.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (1)

The side frames are chamfered in with accentuating edges that serve as the gap between the body and the removable back plate. At the right side, we have the volume rockers and the power/lock button located at the upper part. There’s also the gap for prying open the back plate located at the bottom. Its size is a bit chunky at around 9mm, but nevertheless is not a problem when holding.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (6)

At the top, we have the microUSB port  which sits right at the middle part, and the audio jack located beside it.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (5)

On the other hand, the microphone and the phone speakers are both located at the opposite side. The loudspeakers offer a unique symmetrical grill which is unusual, given that other phones offer a standard design when they are located at this part.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (4)

Flipping the device over, we have the polycarbonate back plate, donning a brushed metal finish which is great-looking. The 8MP rear camera is located at the upper-left corner, and below it is its dedicated dual LED flash. The Starmobile logo is subtly placed at the middle of the device.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (2)

Prying open the device are dedicated slots for two SIM cards and a microSD card. Standard packaging for the device comes with a free Smart Prepaid LTE SIM card, which we found inserted into the phone and already activated when we opened it.

Starmobile Play Max specs:
5-inch HD IPS display, 294ppi
1.3GHz Spreadtrum 7731G quad-core CPU
Mali-400MP2 GPU
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
microSD card support
8MP AF rear camera w/ LED flash
5MP FF front camera w/ LED flash
Dual-SIM
3G HSPA+
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS, A-GPS
FM Radio
4,000mAh battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
143.9 x 71.5 x 9.9mm
159g

The new battery beast device from Starmobile costs Php3,290 and is bundled with Smart SUPER PACK 600 (Smart Prepaid SIM with 100MB of FREE data every month for a year). Is it the power pack you need? We’re taking this for a spin and a review in the coming days.

The post Starmobile Play Max Hands-on, First Impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines Tech News & Reviews.

Starmobile Play Max Hands-on, First Impressions

Carl Lamiel

Here’s our first look at the recently-introduced Starmobile Play Max, an affordable device packing in a 4000mAh battery and modest internals at a sub-Php4k price.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (3)

The Play Max mixes its affair with polycarbonate and brushed metal finishes all over. Its corners are not too boxy, but not too curvy either. At the front is the 5-inch display presented with a decent amount of bezels at 67 percent screen-to-body ratio, along with the front call speaker, the proximity sensor, and the 5-megapixel rear camera accompanied by an LED flash. The buttons at the bottom are capacitive and do not emit light when in operation.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (1)

The side frames are chamfered in with accentuating edges that serve as the gap between the body and the removable back plate. At the right side, we have the volume rockers and the power/lock button located at the upper part. There’s also the gap for prying open the back plate located at the bottom. Its size is a bit chunky at around 9mm, but nevertheless is not a problem when holding.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (6)

At the top, we have the microUSB port  which sits right at the middle part, and the audio jack located beside it.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (5)

On the other hand, the microphone and the phone speakers are both located at the opposite side. The loudspeakers offer a unique symmetrical grill which is unusual, given that other phones offer a standard design when they are located at this part.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (4)

Flipping the device over, we have the polycarbonate back plate, donning a brushed metal finish which is great-looking. The 8MP rear camera is located at the upper-left corner, and below it is its dedicated dual LED flash. The Starmobile logo is subtly placed at the middle of the device.

starmobile-play-max-philippines-review (2)

Prying open the device are dedicated slots for two SIM cards and a microSD card. Standard packaging for the device comes with a free Smart Prepaid LTE SIM card, which we found inserted into the phone and already activated when we opened it.

Starmobile Play Max specs:
5-inch HD IPS display, 294ppi
1.3GHz Spreadtrum 7731G quad-core CPU
Mali-400MP2 GPU
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
microSD card support
8MP AF rear camera w/ LED flash
5MP FF front camera w/ LED flash
Dual-SIM
3G HSPA+
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS, A-GPS
FM Radio
4,000mAh battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
143.9 x 71.5 x 9.9mm
159g

The new battery beast device from Starmobile costs Php3,290 and is bundled with Smart SUPER PACK 600 (Smart Prepaid SIM with 100MB of FREE data every month for a year). Is it the power pack you need? We’re taking this for a spin and a review in the coming days.

The post Starmobile Play Max Hands-on, First Impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines Tech News & Reviews.

Provincial buses not allowed on EDSA too

Carl Lamiel

Joining in the UV Express vans on the list of unwelcomed vehicles in EDSA are the provincial buses, according to a new memorandum issued by the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

Photo: MB Online

The resolution would not only remove the buses, but also the terminals located in one of Metro Manila’s busiest roads. Around 85 provincial bus companies are situated in Metro Manila, which has offices and terminals in Cubao and Balintawak in Quezon City and Taft Avenue in Manila, based on Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s records.

This move is seen as a measure to lessen the traffic in EDSA, with 3,300 provincial buses and 12,000 city buses using the main thoroughfare on a daily basis according to the MMDA. Chairman Emerson Carlos mentioned that the vote to enact the new rule was “unanimous” among members of the council. It is also seen to be in line with Duterte’s directive during his recently-concluded State of the Nation Address to have all bus terminals on EDSA “to eventually be removed and referred to strategic areas outside of the metropolis with the end of decongesting said major thoroughfare.”

As for the time the terminals will be removed, it will be upon the jurisdiction of the cities themselves. “They have approved the removal of the bus terminals in EDSA. It is now up to them (mayors) to prepare for the eventual removal,” said Carlos. The bus terminal owners, nonetheless, have been contacted and are already being asked to prepare for their expected eviction.

The Metro Manila Council is the policy-making body of the MMDA consisting of mayors of the Metro Manila cities.

Source: 1, 2

The post Provincial buses not allowed on EDSA too appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines Tech News & Reviews.

Provincial buses not allowed on EDSA too

Carl Lamiel

Joining in the UV Express vans on the list of unwelcomed vehicles in EDSA are the provincial buses, according to a new memorandum issued by the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

Photo: MB Online

The resolution would not only remove the buses, but also the terminals located in one of Metro Manila’s busiest roads. Around 85 provincial bus companies are situated in Metro Manila, which has offices and terminals in Cubao and Balintawak in Quezon City and Taft Avenue in Manila, based on Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s records.

This move is seen as a measure to lessen the traffic in EDSA, with 3,300 provincial buses and 12,000 city buses using the main thoroughfare on a daily basis according to the MMDA. Chairman Emerson Carlos mentioned that the vote to enact the new rule was “unanimous” among members of the council. It is also seen to be in line with Duterte’s directive during his recently-concluded State of the Nation Address to have all bus terminals on EDSA “to eventually be removed and referred to strategic areas outside of the metropolis with the end of decongesting said major thoroughfare.”

As for the time the terminals will be removed, it will be upon the jurisdiction of the cities themselves. “They have approved the removal of the bus terminals in EDSA. It is now up to them (mayors) to prepare for the eventual removal,” said Carlos. The bus terminal owners, nonetheless, have been contacted and are already being asked to prepare for their expected eviction.

The Metro Manila Council is the policy-making body of the MMDA consisting of mayors of the Metro Manila cities.

Source: 1, 2

The post Provincial buses not allowed on EDSA too appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines Tech News & Reviews.